Washington Redskins news, rumors and injuries

Washington Redskins impending free-agent QB Kirk Cousins could theoretically be franchise tagged by the Redskins, but if that were to occur then Cousins would not entertain a long-term deal with his new team and he would make a whopping $34 million under the tag. If Cousins did not immediately sign the tag, he could not be traded anyway. Furthermore, the Redskins would not be able to do much else in free agency and also just traded for Kansas City Chiefs QB Alex Smith.

Fantasy Tip: Tagging Cousins makes no sense from Washington's perspective, especially considering the recent acquisition of Smith. Cousins will be playing in a new city in 2018 and the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns are the most realistic suitors. Cousins will be a QB1 option wherever he plays, although Minnesota is his best-case scenario on paper.

Washington Redskins impending free-agent QB Kirk Cousins will file a grievance if the Redskins decide to place the franchise tag on him, according to a source. Cousins can argue that the Redskins would be violating the collective bargaining agreement because the team would have no intention in having long-term contract talks with him or having him play on the franchise tag.

Fantasy Tip: Cousins likely will be playing with another team next season, but it is not known if he will hit the free-agent market or if the Redskins will look to trade him. Cousins has played well over the last few seasons and can be a No. 1 fantasy quarterback depending on his new team.

Fantasy Tip: Several teams are likely to make a run at Cousins this offseason. He has thrown at least 25 touchdowns and topped 4,000 yards in each of the last three seasons and should be able to provide QB1 numbers no matter where he ends up.

Washington Redskins RB Chris Thompson (leg) is confident he'll be able to return to his former self once he's fully healed from his broken leg. "So it's just more of me being patient with it, with the rehab, and just kind of being smart," he said in a radio interview. "I'm known to want to progress as fast as I can, so I think if I just stay patient with the process and everything I should be back to what I was before."

Fantasy Tip: Thompson's owners would love to see him build on what was shaping up to be a real solid 2017 campaign for the fourth-year running back. He was well on pace towards shattering career highs in all major categories before going down for the year with his injury, but his future looks bright nonetheless. Even with Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine still under contract, Thompson could end up ascending to lead Washington's backfield.

Fantasy Tip: Without the tag being applied to Cousins, the Redskins would receive no compensation and he would be eligible to sign anywhere as a true unrestricted free agent when the new football year begins March 14. Regardless of where he winds up next season, Cousins should be viewed as a low-end QB1 in all fantasy formats.

Fantasy Tip: Smith will be the Redskins starting quarterback for the next several seasons and probably should be considered a high-end No. 2 quarterback in fantasy leagues. Cousins should receive a lucrative contract from a team this offseason and can be a low-end No. 1 fantasy quarterback depending on the team.

Washington Redskins impending free-agent QB Kirk Cousins said he is looking forward to hitting the free-agent market because he has not been able to choose the team he plays for since college. He said he will be looking to sign with a team that can win a championship.

Fantasy Tip: Cousins should have several interested teams during free agency and likely will receive a lucrative contract. He has posted good numbers over the last several seasons and can be considered a No. 1 fantasy quarterback next season depending on his new team.

Kansas City Chiefs QB Alex Smith, who was reportedly traded to the Washington Redskins late in the night Tuesday, Jan. 30, has agreed to a four-year, $94 million contract extension that will keep him with the Redskins though the end of the 2022 season. The deal will reportedly include approximately $70 million in guaranteed money. Per NFL rules, the trade cannot be officially completed until the first day of the new league year (3 p.m. on March 14).

Fantasy Tip: The extension was part of the agreement to get the trade done - Smith had only one year remaining on his old deal - and he will be under contract through his age-38 season. While the official compensation has yet to be announced, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports it will include a third-round pick and a player to be named Wednesday. Smith provides Washington with a solid option under center as it moves on from Kirk Cousins, but he figures to fall back into QB2 territory as a result of the trade.

The Washington Redskins reportedly reached an agreement to acquire Kansas City Chiefs QB Alex Smith on Tuesday, Jan. 30. While the compensation the Chiefs will receive has yet to be released and any trade involving Smith can't be completed until the first day of the new league year (3 p.m. on March 14), sources say the deal is in place and will proceed.

Fantasy Tip: So long, Kirk Cousins. The Redskins also reportedly signed Smith to a four-year extension, so Cousins will be on the move and Smith has some degree of stability as he enters his age-34 season in 2018. Smith won't have quite the offensive firepower he had to work with in Kansas City, so owners should be prepared to lower their expectations for him back down to pre-2017 levels, making him an unexciting QB2 for fantasy purposes.

Washington Redskins impending free-agent QB Kirk Cousins won't be solely focused on how much money he can make this offseason. He wants to be on a team that will contend for the Super Bowl. "Is money a part of it? Sure. Is it the only thing? No," Cousins said. "It is about winning, and that's what I want more than anything, so I'm going to be willing to make sacrifices or do what has to be done to make sure I'm in the best possible position to win, and that's what the focus is going to be."

Fantasy Tip: Cousins will be the most coveted quarterback on the free-agent market and is headed for a big payday. He performed well in 2017 even without a reliable supporting cast. Cousins has been a solid QB1 the last three seasons and should remain a QB1 candidate no matter where he plays.